Combined tool



y .1957 V w. E. BASSETT 2,798,290

COMBINED TOOL Filed Oct. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l k /6 V f INVENTOR MAL/AM 2 54.0577

Z7 ATTORNEYS y 1957 w. E. BASSETT 2,798,290

COMBINED TOOL Filed Oct. 10, 1956 2 s t s g INVENTOR MumwtTBassrrr B ZQW 7 a z I ATTORNEYS COMBINED TGOL William E. Bassett, Woodbridge, Conn.

Application October 10, 1956, Serial No. 615,200

8 Claims. (Cl. 30-152) My invention relates to a combined tool involving a case and plural tool elements protected by the case and selectively available for use.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide a simplified combined tool of the character indicated, wherein the selected tool may be removed and positioned for use without disturbing the position of the other tool elements.

It is also an object to provide an improved device of the character indicated, wherein a plurality of tool elements are supported on the same pivot axis and in which detent means formed integrally out of the tool elements and out of the case serve to retain selected positions of selected tool elements independently of each other.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a very simple construction which will not Wear loose, which will avoid the use of washers, and which will require no more parts than merely the separate tool elements, the case, and the means on which they are pivoted.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specifi cation, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing a disassembled combined tool of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a View in perspective of the fully assembled tool of Fig. 1, With the tool elements held in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the device of Fig. 2, with an outer or side tool element removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged left-end view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of one end of a tool case representing a modification of the variety displayed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the modified combination using the case of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of another modified case;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view to illustrate cooperation of the parts with the modification of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating a still further modification;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 to illustrate a modified assembly;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 and taken in the plane 12-12 of Fig. 11; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are views similar to Figs. 11 and 12, respectively, to illustrate another modified assembly.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates a combined tool of utmost simplicity, comprising essentially only a Patented July 9, 1957 case, a plurality of bladed tool elements, and a single pivot-fastening means securing the blade elements to the case. This case is of sheet material, preferably spring steel, of channel section defining upstanding side walls connected by a base. Novel spacer and detent mechanisms are described for permitting the easy independent operation of a selected one of the various blade members and for releasably holding a selected one or more of the blade members in closed or in open position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the invention is shown in application to a tool comprising five parts, namely, a case 10, three tool elements 11-12-13, and a pivot fastener 14, such as a rivet 0r eyelet. The tool elements are formed of flat stock, and may be referred to as blade members. Blade member 11 has a roughened surface to serve as a file and is locally recessed at 15 for engagement by a fingernail to remove the same. Blade member 12 is contoured as a bottle-cap remover and is also locally recessed at 16 for fingernail engagement. Blade member 13 is formed with a knife edge and may be locally recessed at 17 for fingernail engagement. The case 10 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, folded along spaced elongated edges 18-19 to define opposed upstanding side walls 20-21 between which the blade members 11-12-13 are removably received. The upper edge of each of the side walls may be recessed, as at 22, to provide fingernail access to the various recessed portions 15-16-17 of the blade elements. Aligned openings 22' in the side walls 20-21 are located near the base 27 in order to clear the outer ends of all blades 11-12-13 (when closed), so that openings 22 may, for example accommodate a key chain or the like (not shown).

In order to provide easy-acting (that is, non-binding) frictional retention of the blades 11-12-13, regardless of angular position, each of the outer blades 11-13 is shown formed with a dimple or bump 23-24, offset from the pivot axis and projecting laterally to ride on the adjacent flat surface of the central blade member 12. Since the blades 11-13 are cut from sheet stock, the formation of each dimple or bump 23-24 necessarily involves formation of corresponding recesses 23'-24' on the blade surfaces immediately adjacent the side walls 20-21 (see Fig. 5).

In accordance with the invention, I provide further dimples or bumps 25-26 in the side walls 20-21 of the case, said further bumps 25-26 being in register with the recesses 23-24' for one desired angle of retention of the blade members. For the form shown, this desired retention angle is for the blade-closed position; thus, When the nail-file blade 11 is moved to the closed position between side walls 20-21, the bump 25 will fall into the socket of recess 23 to locate blade 11 in the closed position.

Preferably, the rivet or eyelet 14 is tightly swaged to the side walls so as to hold said walls frictionally against the blade members 11-12-13. Thus, as a selected blade 11 or 13 is moved out of the closed position, one

of the bumps 25-26 will ride out of the socket (23-24') in which it is received, so as to more firmly axially compressionally load all blade members against each other at their points of contact. This will mean a slight separation of one of the side walls (20-21) from the adjacent selected blade member (11 or 13) as such blade member is lifted out of the closed position.

Thus, while such blade member 11 or 13 is being positioned, its only points of axial thrust-bearing contact with the adjacent parts 12 and 20-21 (as the case may be) will be localized at one of the bumps 23-24-25-26, and easy action is assured for all angular positions of such blade member. Once the file blade 11 has been lifted, ready access is presented to the central blade 12 for removal, and the same essentially singlepoint axial-thrust-bearing contact characterizes suspension of the blade 12 as that described for blades 11 or 13, so that for all angular positions of the central blade 12, easy action and firm, resilient retention are assured.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, I provide, integrally with the blade members 11--12-13 and with the case 10, coacting spring-detentmeans for retention of one of the extreme positions of movement of a selected blade member, it being a particular feature that the detent part integral with the case serves the detent parts of all the blade members in common. For the form shown, the position of blade retention is the outer position, shown for the file blade 11 in Fig. 3.

The pivoted end of each of the blade members may be generally arcuate at a radius to clear the inner surface of the base 27, but at one angular location, as at 28 for the blade 11, and at 2828" for the blades 1213, I provide a radially projecting detent lobe. The projection of lobe 28 is preferably of radial extent (about the pivotal axis) slightly exceeding the space between the base 27 and the pivotal axis; thus, for detent action to take place, one of the lobes 28 will have to bear directly on the base 27.

I prefer that the base 27 be locally weakened at the location of contact with lobe 28, and in Fig. 3 I show that the base 27 has been .slitted to define an integral leaf spring 29 to resiliently ride the arcuate blade end, including lobe 28. Preferably, the lobe 28 is so located on the blade 11 as to assume a position on spring 29 past dead center, for the relationship shown in Fig. 3. By this -I mean that lobe 28 will have had to pass through the vertical plane (said plane being through the pivot axis and normal to the base 27), just before assuming the position shown in Fig. 3.

The slits defining the spring 29 preferably terminate short of the pivot end of the case so that an integral connecting piece or bridge 30 defines a rigid stop to locate the extended position of a selected tool edge, said tool being provided with a notch or recess 31 to be engaged by stop 30. The spring 29 is necessarily defined by two elongated slits connected by a transverse slit 32. Preferably, this transverse slit 32 is near the outer end of the case 10, so that the main body of the case may provide primary support and reference for the spring 29. The longitudinal slits defining the spring '29 may be and preferably are cut on the folds defining edges 18- 19 of the case 10.

If desired, inwardly directed bumps 33'34 may be formed in the side walls -21 near the opposite end of the tool and in position to engage the adjacent side surfaces of the outer blade members 11--13. It will be appreciated that if the case 10 is made of sufiiciently strong stock, the simultaneous closure of all tool elements 11-42-13 into the position shown in Fig. 4 will necessarily involve engagement with both dimples 33-34, thereby slightly outwardly deforming the side walls 20-21 (the deformation being shown exaggerated in Fig. 4), so that by reaction, the adjacent side faces of the various blade members 1 1--1213 may be in frictional contact. All blade members are thus securely retained in the closed position so that, when the tool is carried in ones pocket, the tool elements are not at all likely to drop out of closed position.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I show an alternative means for detent-retention of the blade members in the open position.

Fig. 7 illustrates that detent action involves coaction between a lobe, such as the lobe 28 on blade 41, and a transverse slot or opening 42 in the base 43 of case 44. If desired, a second lobe 45 may be formed at a location substantially diametrically opposed to the lobe 28 so as to also engage the slot .42 with detent action, but for the closed-blade position, as will be understood.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further means of detent-retention of the blades in open position, and in Fig. 9 the near the pivot axis.

pivoted end of a blade 46 is shown formed with a discontinuity, such as a recess 47, to receive an inwardly pressed spring portion 48 formed integrally out of the base 49 of case 50. The spring portion 48 may be defined between laterally spaced longitudinal slits 5152 near the location of vertical support for the blade 46. If desired, a second recessed discontinuity 53 may also be formed in the pivoted end of the blade 46, at a diametrically opposite location, to releasably retain the closed position of the blade.

in Fig. 10, I show a still further alternative in which detent action again involves cooperation between a part of a blade 54 and the base 55 of a case 56. However, in Fig. 10, no special formation is required on the base 55, and spring action is achieved through locally weakened parts of the blade 54. As shown, a first discontinuity, bump, or projection 57 on the pivoted end of blade 54 is formed on a spring, defined by slitting blade 54 at 58, so that as blade 54 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 10, the base 55 may deflect bump 57 radially inwardly. For the retained position shown in Fig. 10, the bump 57 preferably passes the dead-center position, as defined above. If desired, the pivoted end of blade 54 may be further slitted at 59 so that a second and diametrically opposite bump 60 may similarly retain the blade 54in closed position.

The assembly of Figs. 11 and 12 may in all respects resemble that described for Figs. 1 to 5, except that an extended arcuate recess 61 is provided on one face of the central blade element 12. Since the parts correspond so closely with those of Figs. 1 to 5, they have been given the same reference numerals. The purpose of the recess 61 is to reduce the overall width requirements of the assembly and to permit accommodation of the bump 23 of blade member 11 without spacing blade 11 from blade 12. The arcuate extent of recess 61 preferably exceeds about the pivot axis so that blade 12 may offer no impediment to movement of the blade 11, regardless of the position of the blade 11 with respect to blade 12. Also the limit 61' of recess 61 is preferably so located as to engage dimple 23 of blade 11 when blade 11 is closed, thereby providing a more positive locking action to retain blade 12 closed as long as blade 11 is closed, it being understood that when blade 11 is closed, blade 11 is positively retained by detent action at 2523; thus, all blades, including even the central blade 12, are positively referenced to the case 10 when closed.

The assembly of Figs. 13 and 14 resembles those described for Figs. 1 to 5, and 11 and 12, respectively, except that utmost compactness of overall width requirements is achieved by having no lateral bumps whatsoever Thus, the case 10' of Figs. 13 and 14 is smoothly finished except for the bumps 33--34 for engaging the tip ends of closed outer blades 13-15'. The rivet 14 holds adjacent faces of the hubs of all blades 131415 tightly against each other and against the smooth inner walls of sides 20'21. By smoothly finishing all these adjacent, relatively rotatable surfaces, I assure smooth pivot action for any selected blade, in spite of tight axial retention by the rivet 14. The spring tongue 29 and detent 28 still cooperate to positively retain the open position, and the bumps 3334 slightly outwardly deform the side walls 2021 when all three blades are in closed position, thus more positively retaining the closed position.

It will be seen that I have described basically simple tool constructions involving an absolute minimum of parts and yet featuring positive retention of parts in selected positions. In particular, I provide assurance against tool elements shaking out of position when not in use, and there is positive detent action to hold any selected tool element in the open position. For intermediate positions, smooth thrust-bearing action is provided with sutficient friction to avoid any undue looseness.

A While I have described the invention in detail for the V preferred forms illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having a base and opposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, a plurality of elongated blade members pivotally supported on a common axis between said side Walls, said blade members being independently movable from a closed position between said side walls to an open position projecting away from said case, each of said blade members being formed near the pivotally supported end thereof with a retaining projection at one angular location about said axis, each said projection being so located on its particular blade member as to frictionally engage a part of said base when said particular blade member is in the full-open extended position, and a spring member integrally formed out of the material of said part of said base and extending laterally for the combined widths of said blade members and in intercepting relation with the projections of all blade members to releasably hold a particular selected position of a selected one of said blade members.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said spring is defined by elongated laterally spaced longitudinally extending slits in said base and in the vicinity of the location of pivotal support of said blade members.

3. In a device of the character indicated, a single piece of sheet metal folded to define two elongated upstanding side walls connected by a base, three blades received between said side walls and pivoted at one end on a common axis between said side walls, said blades being formed of flat stock and having hub parts near the pivot ends, said hub part for each blade being of the same thickness as a tip part for the same blade, all said tip parts being transversely aligned between said side walls when in closed position, pivot means securing said side walls tightly against said hub parts and serving to retain said side walls normally in parallel relation, and an inwardly extending bump formed out of the material of one of said side walls at the alignment of said tip parts when in closed position, the tip part of the blade adjacent said bump having a smooth continuous surface for engagement with said bump, whereby in closed position said bump reactively spreads said side walls to resiliently load and frictionally retain all said blades in closed position.

4. A device according to claim 3, in which the other of said side walls also includes an inwardly extending bump at the location opposite said first-mentioned bump.

5. In a device of the character indicated, a case coming a one-piece channel of sheet material including a base connecting opposed upstanding side walls, a plurality of blade members receivable between said side walls, a single eyelet fastener passing through both side walls and through all of said blade members and holding said side walls frictionally against said blade members, said fastener serving to define a pivot axis for said blade members, said base being lanced to define an elongated integral spring beneath the pivoted ends of all blade members, said spring terminating short of the adjacent channel end, whereby an integral bridge is defined between said side walls to provide a rigid stop locating the full-open extended position of any selected blade member, and a radial projection on each of said blade members at one angular location about said axis, each said projection being so located on its particular blade member as to frictionally engage said spring when said particular blade member is in the full-open extended position.

6. A device according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of one of said side Walls and the adjacent surface of the adjacent blade member are formed with coacting laterally-extending bump and socket means, said bump and socket means being offset from said axis and in register for one position of said adjacent blade member with respect to said case.

7. A device according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of one of said side walls is formed, near but offset from said axis, with a laterally inwardly directed bump projecting for engagement with the adjacent surface of the adjacent blade member, said adjacent blade member being locally recessed at a location registering with said bump for one angular position of said blade member with respect to said case, said adjacent blade member being further formed at the location of said recess with a laterally projecting bump on the side facing away from said side wall for engagement with the adjacent surface of the next-adjacent blade member, said next-adjacent blade member having an arcuate recess on the side facing said first-mentioned blade member and in registration with the bump on said first-mentioned blade member for a plurality of angular positions of said secondmentioned blade member with respect to said first-mentioned blade member.

8. A device according to claim 7, in which said plurality of blade members includes a third blade member intermediate the other side wall and said second-mentioned blade member, there being coacting bump and socket means offset from said axis and coacting between said third blade member and said other side wall for one angular position of said third blade member with respect to said case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 80,756 Miller Aug. 4, 1868 97,154 Barnard et al Nov. 23, 1869 153,119 Schofield July 14, 1874 188,231 Booker Mar. 13, 1877 199,966 Elmer Feb. 5, 1878 488,340 Skoglund Dec. 20, 1892 563,305 Palfrath July 7, 1896 568,803 Seibel Oct. 6, 1896 637,185 Tozer Nov. 14, 1899 727,724 Weil May 12, 1903 749,230 Severance Jan. 12, 1904 850,632 Eklund Apr. 16, 1907 896,746 McCarty Aug. 25, 1908 971,057 Luce Sept. 27, 1910 1,056,081 Yerzley Mar. 18, 1913 1,194,503 Jawoisch Aug. 15, 1916 1,268,558 Faix June 4, 1918 1,288,617 Kupiszewski Dec. 24, 1918 1,312,653 Watrous Aug. 12, 1919 1,365,487 Hallvarson Jan. 11, 1921 1,372,579 Weishaupt Mar. 22, 1921 1,530,348 Blom Mar. 17, 1925 1,556,788 Hallvarson Oct. 13, 1925 1,994,215 Gaunt Mar. 12, 1935 2,183,901 Weaver Dec. 19, 1939 2,213,064 Campos Aug. 27, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 352,788 Great Britain July 16, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,798,290 July 9, 1957 William E. Bassett It is hereby certified that error appears .in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, lines 50 and 51, for "coming" read comprising Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1957.

Atte st:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer 'Cmmissioner of Patents 

